Revision of the world Monoctonia Starý, parasitoids of gall aphids: taxonomy, distribution, host range, and phylogeny (Hymenoptera, Braconidae: Aphidiinae)

Abstract

The present paper represents a contribution to the knowledge of the taxonomy of Monoctonia Starý aphid parasitoids obtained using the barcoding region of the mitochondrial COI gene. We discuss the phylogenetic position of the genus within the subtribe Monoctonina, redescribe known species, and describe Monoctonia japonica sp. n. from Japan in the association Pemphigus matsumurai Monzen/Populus maximowiczii. A key for species identification is provided. Also, we review and discuss the host records, origin, and geographical distribution of Monoctonia species. It is hypothesized that the genus Monoctonia evolved in Paleogene forests of the temperate (and subtropical) belt, most probably in the European part of the Mediterranean region, which is also the center of origin of their host plants.

Phylogeny of the Subtribe Monoctonina (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae)

“…The genus Monoctonia includes three species, all specialized parasitoids of gall forming aphids. A comprehensive revision of the genus is given by Rakhshani et al [10]. The molecular data used in this study show that Monoctonia has a basal position within the subtribe (Figures 4-6).…”

“…Phylogenetic studies of the subfamily Aphidiinae generally examined only a few Monoctonina species, or entirely excluded them from the analysis [4][5][6][7][8]. In this study, we used sequences of the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, a gene commonly employed in phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of the Aphidiinae wasps [9][10][11][24][25][26][27]. The second marker used in this study, the nuclear large subunit 28S rDNA, has been used in studies examining phylogenetic relationships within the Braconidae [4,26,[28][29][30][31].…”

“…The analysis showed that genetic distances between species of Monoctonina far exceed what is considered to be a species boundary within the Aphidiinae [9,11]. A new species, Monoctonia japonica Rakhshani and Tomanović 2015 was described based on morphological and molecular analyses [10].…”

“…Falciconus pseudoplatani appeared closest to Lipolexis gracilis Förster 1962; M. crepidis grouped with Binodoxys Mackauer 1960 species, while M. caricis formed a separate branch in the cluster. Rakhshani et al [10] used the COI gene to analyze the genus Monoctonia, while M. crepidis, M. ligustri van Achterberg 1989, H. angustivalva, and F. pseudoplatani were also included in the analysis. The analysis showed that genetic distances between species of Monoctonina far exceed what is considered to be a species boundary within the Aphidiinae [9,11].…”

Population Density and Effect of Some Toxic Compounds on Aphis gosspyii Glover and their Predators, Parasitoids and Major Elements in Okra Plants

“…Barahoei et al (2011) found that L. fabarum associated with five host aphid species, such as, A. gossypii. Barahoei et al (2011), and Rakhshani et al (2015) also reported parasitisation of aphids by Aphidius spp. and L. fabarum under field conditions.…”